Braylon Edwards makes good on Cleveland scholarship promise

Posted by Mike Florio on May 25, 2011, 3:34 PM EST

Unlike the fictional former Regional Manager of Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch, who promised a slew of college scholarships and ultimately delivered only laptop batteries, Jets receiver Braylon Edwards has made good on a vow to provide college tuition to a group of 100 eighth-grade students in Cleveland in 2007.

Edwards promised $1 million in academic scholarship money toward tuition, in exchange for a commit by the students to provide 15 hours annually of community service and to maintain a grade-point average of 2.5 or better.

“As the 2nd most hated man in Clev. & a man of my word,” Edwards said, “today I will honor a promise made to 100 students in Cleveland years ago. The last of my Advance 100 students will graduate from my program and head off to college on scholarships that I will provide them with. Guys enjoy & embrace your new beginnings and remember your promise to me, to reach back & help someone else along the way.”

Edwards has been a polarizing figure, both in Cleveland and in New York. We’ve got a feeling he’ll continue to inspire equal parts love and hatred. For today, however, there are only good things to be said about a man from Michigan who managed to do some good for the Ohio city that embraced him — and eventually rejected him.

A man’s true character was displayed here… Poor choices considered, Mr. Edwards should be measured a better person by this commitment to higher education and personal achievement. I applaud you, Man of Michigan!

However, he thinks an awful lot of himself. I live in NE Ohio and I can tell you that Cleveland fans couldn’t give two craps about this guy. He’s not even in the top 20 most hated. But, like I said, he did a good thing here.

oldassgoat1 says:May 25, 2011 3:57 PM

Props to Mr. Edwards for honoring his commitment. Once again, however, he thinks more of himself than others do. He is NOT the 2nd most hated man in Cleveland – at best, he is 3rd, behind *spit* Modell and *hack, hack* LeBron, and that is being generous. The Diva attitude is why you wore out your welcome in Cleveland, a city that desperately wanted to embrace you. We simply could not handle any more of your New York “essence” nor your lil boyfriend. Sashay away, Bray-bray!

i think I just changed my opinion of the man. Good for you Braylon for sticking with your word and helping some kids go to school that would otherwise probably not be able to. You have changed their lives forever, thumbs up to you Sir.

hit2hurt says:May 25, 2011 4:17 PM

Even if you don’t like the man, you’ve got to respect the gesture.. I like the way he puit it: “Guys enjoy & embrace your new beginnings and remember your promise to me, to reach back & help someone else along the way”.

Speaking from a man who had the pleasure to shake Braylon’s hand once…I’d have to disagree with him on this. The order of hatred would go…

1. LePunk
2. Modell
3. Steelers (Past, Present and Future)
4. Braylon (A. because he’s from Michigan. B. Because he dropped more balls than a professional bowler. C. Because he decided to move his charitable efforts to Michigan when he got mad at how he was being treated in Ohio.

I’m definitely not a fan of the guy, but that was a class move, and should be recognized.

And I’m shocked that you can just “give” to charity. No one told me that was an option. I thought you had to star in some kind of self-serving reality show about yourself on ESPN and try to defend it by “sending” the proceeds to charity.

Good job, Braylon. Regardless of his other issues which are self inflicted, he has a big heart. He has always had, and probably always will.

Sandra Lee's Cans says:May 25, 2011 5:25 PM

I heard the scholarships are only good at the Tool Academy.

buckybadger says:May 25, 2011 5:41 PM

Good thing otherwise they would have become Scott’s Tots on the Office.

In all seriousness this is just plain awesome. Gave the kids a goal and made them accountable for themselves and now they will be rewarded. Way to go Edwards. Still doesn’t make up for that whole going to Michigan thing but it is an amazing gesture.

If more people gave back like this the world would be a better place. One person just gave 100 a chance to better themselves.

I fully agree that it’s awesome he did this, but I can’t help but wonder if it’s also an “image improver.” He’s a free agent, and a lot of people think he’s a diva. Better image = mo’ money.

I’m not saying it’s the only reason he did it, because that’s a ton of money for an image improvement. But if I was doing something like that, I wouldn’t broadcast it, I’d just do it because it’s a good thing to do… just saying.

From an earlier thread: “Could a fan of the 2012 World Champion Jets please explain why they’d want this bum on the team?”

Well, now you know.

bebopa says:May 25, 2011 8:27 PM

people try to make this guy a villian, but he is just like a lot of young athletes today. He is a good guy,hes made mistakes but he shouldnt be seen as a convict. THats why Cleveland, the Browns, Cavs, Indians and their fans are so bad and probably wont get any better any time soon. Edwards is better than any reciever they have as of now. As was Kam Wimbley who flourished in Oakland. A once proud franchise(the Browns) are now just a punchline.